The T20 women's world cup has seen the experiment introduced of handing the responsibility of calling front foot no-balls entirely to the off the field third umpire
It reduces the workload of the on-field umpire and allows him or her more time to concentrate on adjudging lbws, close catches. wides etc, and I regard it as an excellent and overdue innovation.
Would others agree that its introduction to all International, cricket would be most welcome and to the advantage of the game, and increase confidence in the currently overworked bowler's umpire?

The only thing missing, I imagine, is the shout of "no ball" which in theory allows a risk-free swing at the ball. Whether anyone really has time to that against a really quick bowler is arguable but when a spinner transgresses...

I agree makes sense. Have done a little umpiring at BA. Very difficult to watch front foot and lookup at batters end. Cricket makes better use of technology than footies Mike Riley Referee Circus with VAR.

I agree. It seems that Test umpires are leaving no-ball decisions until a wicket falls then they check. That may be fine for wickets, but what about the 1-run penalty for a no-ball?

This is, of course, hypothetical but what if a chasing team falls 6 runs short of a win, but the bowling team has bowled eight no-balls that weren't called as such?

Back in the day, technology wasn't as advanced as it is now so we didn't know if a no-ball was called or not. These days we can clearly see the foot going over the crease, so hand the task to the third umpire and end the impossible job of an umpire watching for a no-ball and then focussing immediately up the other end for a lbw/catch. The human eye just isn't good enough to do that accurately.

And contrary to common belief the on-field umpire is certainly not in the best position to make decisions A foreshortened perspective or an obstructed view makes it far more difficult to adjudicate from the bowler's umpire position than from a clear elevated spot we have the advantage of on TV.
As for front foot no balls, they need to be judged by someone in a square-on position to the crease rather than someone positioned behind the stumps.
Umpires are only human and far from infallible, throw in pressure from fielders who are free to appeal for anything without penalty makes it a far from an easy job, for which they receive little credit.
DRS has been of great benefit and works well, even though it often shows umpires to be mistaken, so let's take advantage of all technology available and make the official's job simpler as well as adding to the spectators appreciation of whats going on in the middle.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 29/02/2020 18:05 by Gezza of the middle.

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